Archive for July 10th, 2012

Five ways to make moving less stressful

Moving is typically regarded as one of the most stressful and difficult things that a family can ever do. Whether a family is planning on moving across their neighborhood or to another state, there are several things that can be done to make the experience a little easier on everyone. Although relatively simple, these suggestions could turn any moving experience from something to dread into something to look forward to.

Use a checklist. By using a moving checklist, anyone will be better able to keep track of things. Some people prefer to start their checklists out a full two months before the day of the move. Each day, one or two items can be checked off. This not only enables one to keep track of their preparation, but feel an sense of accomplishment as they see things getting done each day.

Pack smart. No one wants to unpack everything after their move only to discover that some of their most prized possessions were damaged en route. Anyone looking forward to moving should always keep a handy supply of boxes, bubble wrap, tape and wrapping paper, so that they can secure everything down.

Eat light. Many people cook full meals up until the day before moving. Kitchenware is often some of the bulkiest things in a home, and leaving them to the day before can lead to having to rush. To reduce this effect, one should pack up most of their kitchenware early, choosing instead to cook things during their last week that only require one pot or a microwave.

Sell it! Moving can be much simpler if one has to take less things with them. If one has a bunch of things that they have not needed in a few years, chances are they will not need them in their new home. Selling or donating some of ones old things can reduce clutter and make it much easier in the long run.

Rest up! Above all else, one should always make sure to get plenty of rest before moving day. Many people stay awake long into the night, worrying about what could go wrong. This can lead to fatigue and confusion, which can actually make things worse. A well rested individual will be able to tackle the challenges of moving much better than someone who has not had enough sleep.

Four Values Top Movers Possess

If you have given yourself enough time to hire movers, then you are giving yourself enough time to research movers as well. If the thought of research makes you shudder, stop to realize that this research simply involves reading about the companies on your list. It does not mean that you have to visit the library and study the work of these companies. Finding good ones takes research, and the rewards will pay off.

Luckily, only a few qualities make the best professional movers. These values include professionalism, experience, services available and cost. Without having positive attributes of all of these values, it is risky to hire a mover. Try to get a company in which all qualities exist and are positive. Even if three out of four is the best that you can do, you will be ahead of the game.

Professionalism can be determined by talking with the movers. It could be the owner, especially if it is a smaller company, or it could be a representative or manager. Whoever you talk to, you should feel like you are treated like a customer and not a number … even if you are not a customer yet. If you get treated well from the outset, it is a good sign that you will be treated well throughout the moving process.

Experience is easy to figure out … just visit the movers’ websites and find out how long they have been in business. But more than that, find out the types of moves that they have done. Are they more geared toward homeowners and less about commercial moves, do they focus on long-distance hauls instead of local one-stop ones? This information should match up to your own needs, so pick the movers that most closely align with your move.

Movers that have been in business longer tend to offer more services, so experience and services available tend to line up. The longer a company has been in business, the more it tends to offer, and vice versa. This is not set in stone, though, so find the services that you want and the moving companies that can offer it, and go from that point. And of course cost is important. You will be charged several hundred dollars from the moving service, but the price you pay should be worth it. All you want to make sure of here is that you are not being overcharged for services.

What To Do Before Moving Into Your New Space

It is always exciting to move into a new place. But if the new digs are not exactly how you want them to be, it can make the entire moving experience more stressful and less enjoyable than it should be. Before you set foot into your new space, consider a few steps to take. It can truly make move-in day a fabulous one.

Maybe the carpets are not exactly up to par. If you did not decide with the home’s previous owners who would get them cleaned, do it yourself before moving in or hire someone to clean them for you. The cost is not that much … less than a few hundred dollars at the most … and you will be happy walking into your new place with freshly washed carpets. It will help you feel like you are starting over in your new space.

Did you notice a few windows that did not have screens in them, or a few interior walls that needed painting? If so, see if you can take a day or so before moving in to work on these projects and get them over with before anything has been moved into the place. It will free up the space to allow you to do what you need to get done, and you will not need to worry about messing up your possessions or covering them up if you are painting.

If you have a room plan layout of your new place, take some time to figure out where everything will go once you are ready for moving day. This will give your moving company enough time to pack up the truck accordingly, and it will save you some stress on moving day by not having to direct movers to each room of the house. They will have a map to guide them, and so will you.

Even if you need to save a few things for after moving day, you will at least have formulated a plan of attack and will have a to-do list in hand to get you started with projects. Some will be small and others will be more significant, but you at least can know where you are headed once you have moved in. Projects might be ongoing, but that is part of the fun of owning a home. Moving in is the first step, and enjoying living in it comes next.